Years ago there was a weekly show titled “This Is Your Life.” A celebrity was surprised with an hour of testimonials and revisited highlights, and sometimes lowlights, of their entire life – from birth to date. It was done in good taste, and was a lovely way to honor a person and their accomplishments.

A “This Is Your Life” party would be especially fun as a birthday celebration for older adults who don’t really want gifts, but like to see and hear from people in their past. Younger people, although not having as long a history to revisit, could enjoy this type of event in the form of a roast (as long as done in good natured taste and not to reveal scandalous secrets that could do some damage).

Decorate with large photos of this person through different times in their life (check with Kinkos or a local printer as to prices and ideas). Have friends who can not attend send audio or video recordings of memories they have of the guest of honor, and play music from the different types of music they grew up with.  Put together a scrapbook with written testimonials and present it to the guest of honor.

Select a personable character to serve as the guest of honor, and ask any guest present to stand up and recall memories they have of their experience with the guest of honor.

You can hold this event as a simple cake and ice cream event – or part of a sit-down supper with champagne toasts. It is a lovely or afternoon of fun that can be added to the guestbook or scrapbook later as well. Best of all - keep it a secret from the guest of honor!